Donald Bentley Sr., Radio Broadcaster

June 10, 2002|By MANDY MALONE Daily Press

WILLIAMSBURG — Donald Michael Bentley Sr. died June 8, 2002, at his home. Mr. Bentley was born in Roanoke in 1933. After serving in the U.S. Army in Korea, he graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute.

Mr. Bentley began his work in radio in Roanoke where his brother owned a radio station, according to Mr. Bentley's wife, Martha Cox Bentley. He came to Williamsburg in 1965 as general manager of WBCI (96.5 FM)/WMBG (740 AM) radio and later was general partner of Williamsburg Broadcasting Ltd.

At the time, WBCI/WMBG was the flagship station for William and Mary football and basketball broadcasts. He worked to strengthen the William and Mary Sports Network by getting other radio stations to join the network.

"It went from being local to being networked out," said Bob Sheeran, director of operations for WMBG radio and color commentator of William and Mary football.

"He was the person who got to know everyone in town," said his wife.

Mr. Bentley's work with the William and Mary Sports Network evolved over the years to include a stint as color commentator for William and Mary football for several years in the early 1970s while continuing his role as general manager, Sheeran recalled.

Mr. Bentley was also active in professional and civic organizations, serving as president of the Virginia Association of Broadcasters, the Virginia Associated Press Broadcasters, the Williamsburg-James City County Chamber of Commerce and the Kiwanis Club of Williamsburg, as well as serving on many other committees and boards.

In later years, Mr. Bentley, with his daughter, Lee, founded Sterling Event Planners of Williamsburg Inc.

Mr. Bentley is survived by his wife of 44 years, Martha Cox Bentley; his son, Donald Michael Bentley Jr. and his wife, Paula; his daughters, Lee Bentley MacLeod and her husband, Ewen, and Anne Bentley McCray and her husband, Joel; six grandchildren, Dan Bentley, Jacob Bentley, Calum MacLeod, Annie MacLeod, Lindsey MacLeod, and Griffin McCray; sisters, Jeane L. Bentley and Norma R. Mitchell, both of Richmond; and many nieces and nephews.